Capacitive auto focus position detection

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments include an electrically conductive capacitor plate mounted to a chassis supporting an actuator using one or more suspension wires. In some embodiments, the first electrically conductive capacitor plate is electrically connected with an electrically conductive coil of the actuator. Some embodiments include the electrically conductive coil. In some embodiments, a capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the electrically conductive coil varies as function of the position of the electrically conductive coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/803,951, filed Jul. 20, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,736,345, which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to position measurement and morespecifically to position measurement for managing the motion of cameracomponents.

Description of the Related Art

The advent of small, mobile multipurpose devices such as smartphones andtablet or pad devices has resulted in a need for high-resolution, smallform factor cameras for integration in the devices. Some small formfactor cameras may incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS)mechanisms that may sense and react to external excitation/disturbanceby adjusting location of the optical lens on the X and/or Y axis in anattempt to compensate for unwanted motion of the lens. Some small formfactor cameras may incorporate an autofocus (AF) mechanism whereby theobject focal distance can be adjusted to focus an object plane in frontof the camera at an image plane to be captured by the image sensor. Insome such autofocus mechanisms, the optical lens is moved as a singlerigid body along the optical axis (referred to as the Z axis) of thecamera to refocus the camera.

In addition, high image quality is easier to achieve in small formfactor cameras if lens motion along the optical axis is accompanied byminimal parasitic motion in the other degrees of freedom, for example onthe X and Y axes orthogonal to the optical (Z) axis of the camera. Thus,some small form factor cameras that include autofocus mechanisms mayalso incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanisms that maysense and react to external excitation/disturbance by adjusting locationof the optical lens on the X and/or Y axis in an attempt to compensatefor unwanted motion of the lens. In such systems, knowledge of theposition of the lens is useful.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments include an electrically conductive capacitor platemounted to a chassis supporting an actuator using one or more suspensionwires. In some embodiments, the first electrically conductive capacitorplate is electrically connected through with an electrically conductivecoil of the actuator. Some embodiments include the electricallyconductive coil. In some embodiments, a capacitance between the firstelectrically conductive capacitor plate and the electrically conductivecoil varies as function of the position of the electrically conductivecoil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a portable multifunction devicewith a camera in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a portable multifunction device having a camera inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 3B depicts a top view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 3C illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 4A depicts a side view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 4B depicts a side view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 6A depicts a top view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 6B depicts a schematic view of an example embodiment of a circuitthat may, for example, be used to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection in small form factor cameras, according toat least some embodiments.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an example embodiment capacitive sensorhardware that may, for example, be used to provide capacitive sensingfor autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras, accordingto at least some embodiments.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 9A is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 9B is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 10A is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 10B is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 10C is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example computer system configured to implementaspects of the system and method for camera control with capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection, according to some embodiments.

This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “inan embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner consistent with this disclosure.

“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims,this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider aclaim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units. . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from includingadditional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphicscircuitry, etc.).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicatingthat the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry)that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, theunit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the taskeven when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currentlyoperational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used withthe “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits,memory storing program instructions executable to implement theoperation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configuredto” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, for that unit/circuit/component.Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g.,generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware(e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) tooperate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue.“Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g.,a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g.,integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one ormore tasks.

“First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labelsfor nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering(e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuitmay be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and“second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily implythat the first value must be written before the second value.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A,such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also beingbased on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Capacitive Sensing for Autofocus Position Detection

Some embodiments include camera equipment outfitted with controls,magnets, and sensors to improve the position accuracy of a miniatureactuation mechanism for a compact camera module. More specifically, insome embodiments, compact camera modules include actuators to deliverfunctions such as autofocus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS).One approach to delivering a very compact actuator for OIS is to use aVoice Coil Motor (VCM) arrangement, though, as one of skill in the artwill readily understand in light of having read the present disclosure,other arrangements such as MEMS actuators may be used in someembodiments without departing from the scope and intent of the presentdisclosure. In some embodiments, plural magnets interact with anautofocus coil bonded to the moving body of the OIS actuator.

For OIS, embodiments are frequently implemented in systems withactuators moving the moving body of the OIS actuator. Hence it issometimes useful to employ sensors, to detect the position of the movingbody of the OIS actuator. As current is applied to the OIS coils, themagnetic field generated interacts with the magnetic field of themagnets to generate forces that move the moving body in the desiredmanner.

Some embodiments allow a capacitive sensor output voltage to be verywell correlated to the position of the moving body, such that theresonant frequency of an inductance-capacitance circuit output can beused as a measure of position, and be used to feedback the position, andallow more accurate positioning. Using a VCM, in some embodiments theforces generated are substantially linear with applied current, andhence assuming the moving body is suspended on the fixed body usingsubstantially linear springs, the position of the moving body issubstantially proportional to the applied VCM current.

Some embodiments include a method for measuring the position of a cameralens carrier movable by an autofocus actuator. In some embodiments, themethod includes generating a measurement of a capacitance resulting atleast in part from the relative movement of a first capacitor plate ascompared to a second capacitor plate or an autofocus coil. In someembodiments, the camera lens carrier is movably coupled to a substrateby the autofocus actuator to provide motion in a direction orthogonal tothe substrate.

In some embodiments, a method for measuring a position includesdelivering an impulse alternating electrical signal to an autofocus coiland calculating a position of the autofocus coil by measuringproperties, such as capacitance, of an inductance-capacitance circuitincluding the autofocus coil and a first capacitor plate in response tothe impulse electrical signal. One option for some embodiments is for anexcitation signal to be applied to one of the capacitance plates on theyoke, and then the resulting current to be sensed on the other plate ofthe yoke, these being capacitively coupled by the autofocus coil, or theplate over the autofocus coil. In some embodiments the autofocus coil isused with no extra plate. Some embodiments of such a drive scheme aredescribed as a mutual capacitance measurement. In some embodiments animpulse electrical signal is an alternating current stimulation signalat a frequency detectable to a measurement circuit. In some embodiments,a method for measuring a position includes delivering an impulsealternating electrical signal to an autofocus coil and calculating aposition of the autofocus coil by measuring a resonant frequency of aresonant inductance-capacitance circuit including the autofocus coil anda first capacitor plate in response to the impulse electrical signal. Insome embodiments an impulse electrical signal is an alternating currentstimulation signal at a frequency detectable to a measurement circuit.

In some embodiments, the method for measuring a position furtherincludes adjusting a position of the autofocus coil by altering avoltage input to the autofocus coil. In some embodiments, the adjustingis based at least in part on the position measurement. In someembodiments, the method for measuring a position further includesrepeating the delivering and calculating.

In some embodiments, the method for measuring a position furtherincludes repeating the delivering and calculating. In some embodiments,a capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plateand the autofocus coil varies as function of the position of theautofocus coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitorplate.

In some embodiments, the calculating a position of the autofocus coil bymeasuring a resonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitancecircuit including the autofocus coil and a first capacitor plate inresponse to the impulse further includes measuring a capacitance betweenthe first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the autofocus coilthat varies as function of the position of the autofocus coil relativeto the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.

In some embodiments, the method for measuring a position furtherincludes adjusting a position of the autofocus coil by altering avoltage input to the autofocus coil. In some embodiments, the adjustingis based at least in part on the position measurement, and thedelivering the impulse alternating electrical signal to the autofocuscoil further includes delivering the impulse alternating electricalsignal to the autofocus coil at a frequency different from a signal usedto adjust the autofocus coil.

In some embodiments, delivering the impulse alternating electricalsignal to the autofocus coil further includes delivering the impulsealternating electrical signal to an autofocus coil of an autofocusactuator mechanism for moving a lens carriage, through a parallelelectrical connection between the first capacitor plate and theautofocus coil.

In some embodiments, delivering the impulse alternating electricalsignal to the autofocus coil further includes delivering the impulsealternating electrical signal to an autofocus coil of an autofocusactuator mechanism for moving a lens carriage, through a parallelelectrical connection between the first capacitor plate and theautofocus coil via one or more suspension wires of the actuatormechanism.

Some embodiments include a camera of a mobile computing device having aposition sensor for a lens of the camera. Some embodiments include afirst electrically conductive capacitor plate mounted to a yoke. In someembodiments, the yoke supports a lens carriage. In some embodiments, theyoke is attached to a chassis using one or more suspension wires. Insome embodiments, the first electrically conductive capacitor plate iselectrically connected through the one or more suspension wires. In someembodiments, an electrically conductive autofocus coil of an autofocusactuator mechanism for moving a lens carriage is electrically connectedthrough the one or more suspension wires. Some embodiments furtherinclude the electrically conductive autofocus coil of the autofocusactuator mechanism for moving the lens carriage. In some embodiments, acapacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plateand the autofocus coil varies as function of the position of theautofocus coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitorplate.

Some embodiments include a position sensor. In some embodiments, theposition sensor includes a first electrically conductive capacitor platemounted to an actuator supported by one or more suspension wires. Insome embodiments, the first electrically conductive capacitor plate iselectrically connected through the one or more suspension wires with anelectrically conductive coil of the actuator. In some embodiments, theposition sensor includes the electrically conductive coil. In someembodiments, a capacitance between the first electrically conductivecapacitor plate and the electrically conductive coil varies as functionof the position of the electrically conductive coil relative to thefirst electrically conductive capacitor plate.

In some embodiments, the position sensor further includes a voltagesource capable of delivering an impulse alternating electrical signal tothe coil, and a second capacitor plate mounted to the electricallyconductive coil. In some embodiments, the capacitance between the firstelectrically conductive capacitor plate and the electrically conductivecoil comprises a capacitance between the first electrically conductivecapacitor plate and the second capacitor plate.

Some embodiments include a camera of a mobile computing device having aposition sensor for a lens of the camera. In some embodiments, thesensor includes a first electrically conductive capacitor plate mountedto a yoke mounted. In some embodiments, the yoke is mounted to a chassisof a lens carriage using one or more suspension wires, and the firstelectrically conductive capacitor plate is electrically connectedthrough the one or more suspension wires in parallel with anelectrically conductive autofocus coil of an autofocus actuatormechanism for moving a lens carriage. In some embodiments, theelectrically conductive autofocus coil of the autofocus actuatormechanism for moving the lens carriage. In some embodiments, acapacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plateand the autofocus coil varies as function of the position of theautofocus coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitorplate.

Some embodiments include a voltage source capable of delivering animpulse alternating electrical signal to the autofocus coil. Someembodiments include a measurement circuit for measuring a resonantfrequency of a resonant inductance-capacitance circuit including theautofocus coil and the first capacitor plate in response to the impulse.

Some embodiments include position measurement logic for measuring theposition of the lens carriage relative to the chassis by applying analternating electrical signal to the autofocus coil.

Some embodiments include position measurement logic for measuring aresonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitance circuitincluding the autofocus coil and the first capacitor plate. Someembodiments include a second electrically conductive capacitor platemounted to the yoke mounted to the chassis of the lens carriage usingone or more suspension wires. In some embodiments, the secondelectrically conductive capacitor plate is mounted at a position alongan optical axis of the camera different from a position along an opticalaxis of the camera from the first electrically conductive capacitorplate. In some embodiments, the second electrically conductive capacitorplate is electrically connected in parallel with an autofocus coil of anactuator for moving the lens carriage using the one or more suspensionwires.

In some embodiments, the first electrically conductive capacitor plateis mounted to the yoke mounted to the chassis of the lens carriage usingone or more suspension wires using a plastic isolation componentfabricated with laser direct structuring between the first electricallyconductive capacitor plate and the chassis of the lens carriage.

In some embodiments, the first electrically conductive capacitor plateis mounted to the yoke mounted to the chassis of the lens carriage usingone or more suspension wires using a flexible printed circuit situatedbetween the first electrically conductive capacitor plate and thechassis of the lens carriage.

In some embodiments, the second electrically conductive capacitor plateis mounted to autofocus coil using a flexible printed circuit situatedbetween the second electrically conductive capacitor plate and theautofocus coil.

In some embodiments, a position sensor includes a first electricallyconductive capacitor plate mounted to a chassis supporting an actuatorusing one or more suspension wires. In some embodiments, the firstelectrically conductive capacitor plate is electrically connectedthrough the one or more suspension wires in parallel with anelectrically conductive coil of the actuator. In some embodiments, aposition sensor includes the electrically conductive coil or interactswith the coil. In some embodiments, a capacitance between the firstelectrically conductive capacitor plate and the electrically conductivecoil varies as function of the position of the electrically conductivecoil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.

In some embodiments, a position sensor includes a position sensorincludes a voltage source capable of delivering an impulse alternatingelectrical signal to the coil. In some embodiments, a position sensorincludes a measurement circuit for measuring a resonant frequency of aresonant inductance-capacitance circuit including the coil and the firstcapacitor plate in response to the impulse.

In some embodiments, a position sensor includes position measurementlogic for measuring the position of coil the chassis by applying analternating electrical signal to the coil. In some embodiments, aposition sensor includes position measurement logic for measuring aresonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitance circuitincluding the coil and the first capacitor plate.

In some embodiments, a position sensor includes a second electricallyconductive capacitor plate mounted to the yoke mounted to the chassis ofthe lens carriage using one or more suspension wires. In someembodiments, the second electrically conductive capacitor plate ismounted at a position along a z axis through a center of the coildifferent from a position along the z axis from the first electricallyconductive capacitor plate, and the second electrically conductivecapacitor plate is electrically connected in parallel with the coil.

In some embodiments, the first electrically conductive capacitor plateis mounted to the chassis using a plastic isolation component fabricatedwith laser direct structuring between the first electrically conductivecapacitor plate and the chassis of the lens carriage.

In some embodiments, a camera of a mobile computing device includes aposition sensor for a lens of the camera, and the sensor includes afirst electrically conductive capacitor plate mounted to a chassis of alens carriage that is physically mounted to a yoke mounted to thechassis of the lens carriage using one or more suspension wires. In someembodiments, the first electrically conductive capacitor plate iselectrically connected through the one or more suspension wires inparallel with an autofocus coil of an autofocus actuator mechanism formoving the lens carriage. In some embodiments, the camera of a mobilecomputing device includes an electrically conductive autofocus coil ofthe autofocus actuator mechanism for moving the lens carriage. In someembodiments, a capacitance between the first electrically conductivecapacitor plate and the autofocus coil varies as function of theposition of the autofocus coil relative to the first electricallyconductive capacitor plate.

Some embodiments include a computer program product in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium for measuring a position.

Some embodiments include program instructions on the computer-readablemedium that are computer-executable to implement delivering an impulsealternating electrical signal to an autofocus coil. Some embodimentsinclude program instructions on the computer-readable medium that arecomputer-executable to implement calculating a position of the autofocuscoil by measuring a resonant frequency of a resonantinductance-capacitance circuit including the autofocus coil and a firstcapacitor plate in response to the impulse.

Some embodiments include program instructions on the computer-readablemedium that are computer-executable to implement adjusting a position ofthe autofocus coil by altering a voltage input to the autofocus coil. Insome embodiments, the adjusting is based at least in part on theposition measurement. Some embodiments include program instructions onthe computer-readable medium that are computer-executable to implementrepeating the delivering and calculating.

Some embodiments include program instructions on the computer-readablemedium that are computer-executable to implement repeating thedelivering and calculating. In some embodiments, a capacitance betweenthe first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the autofocus coilvaries as function of the position of the autofocus coil relative to thefirst electrically conductive capacitor plate.

The program instructions computer-executable to implement thecalculating a position of the autofocus coil by measuring a resonantfrequency of a resonant inductance-capacitance circuit including theautofocus coil and a first capacitor plate in response to the impulsefurther include program instructions computer-executable to implementmeasuring a capacitance between the first electrically conductivecapacitor plate and the autofocus coil that varies as function of theposition of the autofocus coil relative to the first electricallyconductive capacitor plate.

Some embodiments include program instructions on the computer-readablemedium that are computer-executable to implement adjusting a position ofthe autofocus coil by altering a voltage input to the autofocus coil. Insome embodiments, the adjusting is based at least in part on theposition measurement, and the program instructions computer-executableto implement the delivering the impulse alternating electrical signal tothe autofocus coil further include program instructionscomputer-executable to implement delivering the impulse alternatingelectrical signal to the autofocus coil at a frequency different from asignal used to adjust the autofocus coil. In some embodiments theprogram instructions on the computer-readable medium that arecomputer-executable to implement delivering the impulse alternatingelectrical signal to the autofocus coil further include programinstructions computer-executable to implement delivering the impulsealternating electrical signal to an autofocus coil of an autofocusactuator mechanism for moving a lens carriage, through a parallelelectrical connection between the first capacitor plate and theautofocus coil.

In some embodiments, the program instructions computer-executable toimplement the delivering the impulse alternating electrical signal tothe autofocus coil further include program instructionscomputer-executable to implement delivering the impulse alternatingelectrical signal to an autofocus coil of an autofocus actuatormechanism for moving a lens carriage, through a parallel electricalconnection between the first capacitor plate and the autofocus coil viaone or more suspension wires of the actuator mechanism.

Multifunction Device Examples

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed asecond contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a firstcontact, without departing from the intended scope. The first contactand the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the samecontact.

The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. As used in the description and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as amobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/ormusic player functions. Example embodiments of portable multifunctiondevices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad®devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronicdevices, such as laptops, cameras, cell phones, or tablet computers, mayalso be used. It should also be understood that, in some embodiments,the device is not a portable communications device, but is a desktopcomputer with a camera. In some embodiments, the device is a gamingcomputer with orientation sensors (e.g., orientation sensors in a gamingcontroller). In other embodiments, the device is not a portablecommunications device, but is a camera.

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should beunderstood, however, that the electronic device may include one or moreother physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, amouse and/or a joystick.

The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one ormore of the following: a drawing application, a presentationapplication, a word processing application, a website creationapplication, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, agaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencingapplication, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, aworkout support application, a photo management application, a digitalcamera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, and/or a digital videoplayer application.

The various applications that may be executed on the device may use atleast one common physical user-interface device, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device maybe adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or withina respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture(such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support thevariety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive andtransparent to the user.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices withcameras. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating portable multifunctiondevice 100 with camera 164 in accordance with some embodiments. Camera164 is sometimes called an “optical sensor” for convenience, and mayalso be known as or called an optical sensor system. Device 100 mayinclude memory 102 (which may include one or more computer readablestorage mediums), memory controller 122, one or more processing units(CPU's) 120, peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audiocircuitry 110, speaker 111, touch-sensitive display system 112,microphone 113, input/output (I/O) subsystem 106, other input or controldevices 116, and external port 124. Device 100 may include one or moreoptical sensors 164. These components may communicate over one or morecommunication buses or signal lines 103.

It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example of aportable multifunction device, and that device 100 may have more orfewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or mayhave a different configuration or arrangement of the components. Thevarious components shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software, including one ormore signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Memory 102 may include high-speed random access memory and may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memorydevices. Access to memory 102 by other components of device 100, such asCPU 120 and the peripherals interface 118, may be controlled by memorycontroller 122.

Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU 120 and memory 102. The one or moreprocessors 120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 102 to perform various functions fordevice 100 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 118, CPU 120, and memorycontroller 122 may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip 104. Insome other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 may include well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 108 may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, alsoreferred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wirelessnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and otherdevices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may useany of a variety of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies, including but not limited to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA),wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multipleaccess (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/orIEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocolfor e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or postoffice protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messagingand presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for InstantMessaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messagingand Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or anyother suitable communication protocol, including communication protocolsnot yet developed as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide an audiointerface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry 110 receivesaudio data from peripherals interface 118, converts the audio data to anelectrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker 111.Speaker 111 converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves.Audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted bymicrophone 113 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data toperipherals interface 118 for processing. Audio data may be retrievedfrom and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108 byperipherals interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110 alsoincludes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2). The headset jack providesan interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable audioinput/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headsetwith both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input(e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device 100, suchas touch screen 112 and other input control devices 116, to peripheralsinterface 118. I/O subsystem 106 may include display controller 156 andone or more input controllers 160 for other input or control devices.The one or more input controllers 160 receive/send electrical signalsfrom/to other input or control devices 116. The other input controldevices 116 may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rockerbuttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and soforth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s) 160 may becoupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port,USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons(e.g., 208, FIG. 2) may include an up/down button for volume control ofspeaker 111 and/or microphone 113. The one or more buttons may include apush button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2).

Touch-sensitive display 112 provides an input interface and an outputinterface between the device and a user. Display controller 156 receivesand/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 112. Touch screen112 displays visual output to the user. The visual output may includegraphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectivelytermed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visualoutput may correspond to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensorsthat accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact.Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 (along with any associatedmodules and/or sets of instructions in memory 102) detect contact (andany movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen 112 andconverts the detected contact into interaction with user-interfaceobjects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) thatare displayed on touch screen 112. In an example embodiment, a point ofcontact between touch screen 112 and the user corresponds to a finger ofthe user.

Touch screen 112 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD(light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emittingdiode) technology, although other display technologies may be used inother embodiments. Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 maydetect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of avariety of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed,including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, andsurface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensorarrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contactwith touch screen 112. In an example embodiment, projected mutualcapacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in theiPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

Touch screen 112 may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. Insome embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution ofapproximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen 112using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, andso forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to workprimarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be lessprecise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of afinger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translatesthe rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position orcommand for performing the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 100 mayinclude a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particularfunctions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive areaof the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visualoutput. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separatefrom touch screen 112 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surfaceformed by the touch screen.

Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 162 may include a power management system, oneor more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), arecharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converteror inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors or cameras 164.FIG. 1 shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller 158in I/O subsystem 106. Optical sensor 164 may include charge-coupleddevice (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)phototransistors. Optical sensor 164 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 143(also called a camera module), optical sensor 164 may capture stillimages or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located onthe back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 on the frontof the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as aviewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of thedevice so that the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencingwhile the user views the other video conference participants on thetouch screen display.

Device 100 may also include one or more proximity sensors 166. FIG. 1shows proximity sensor 166 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, proximity sensor 166 may be coupled to input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turnsoff and disables touch screen 112 when the multifunction device isplaced near the user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call).

Device 100 includes one or more orientation sensors 168. In someembodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one or moreaccelerometers (e.g., one or more linear accelerometers and/or one ormore rotational accelerometers). In some embodiments, the one or moreorientation sensors include one or more gyroscopes. In some embodiments,the one or more orientation sensors include one or more magnetometers.In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one ormore of global positioning system (GPS), Global Navigation SatelliteSystem (GLONASS), and/or other global navigation system receivers. TheGPS, GLONASS, and/or other global navigation system receivers may beused for obtaining information concerning the location and orientation(e.g., portrait or landscape) of device 100. In some embodiments, theone or more orientation sensors include any combination oforientation/rotation sensors. FIG. 1 shows the one or more orientationsensors 168 coupled to peripherals interface 118. Alternately, the oneor more orientation sensors 168 may be coupled to an input controller160 in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, information is displayedon the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscape view basedon an analysis of data received from the one or more orientationsensors.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102include operating system 126, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130,graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, text input module (or setof instructions) 134, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set ofinstructions) 135, arbiter module 157 and applications (or sets ofinstructions) 136. Furthermore, in some embodiments memory 102 storesdevice/global internal state 157, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3.Device/global internal state 157 includes one or more of: activeapplication state, indicating which applications, if any, are currentlyactive; display state, indicating what applications, views or otherinformation occupy various regions of touch screen display 112; sensorstate, including information obtained from the device's various sensorsand input control devices 116; and location information concerning thedevice's location and/or attitude.

Operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, oran embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various softwarecomponents and/or drivers for controlling and managing general systemtasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, powermanagement, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardwareand software components.

Communication module 128 facilitates communication with other devicesover one or more external ports 124 and also includes various softwarecomponents for handling data received by RF circuitry 108 and/orexternal port 124. External port 124 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB),FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices orindirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). Insome embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin)connector.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect contact with touch screen 112 (inconjunction with display controller 156) and other touch sensitivedevices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motionmodule 130 includes various software components for performing variousoperations related to detection of contact, such as determining ifcontact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determiningif there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-draggingevents), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting afinger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module 130receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determiningmovement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series ofcontact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity(magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitudeand/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may beapplied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiplesimultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). Insome embodiments, contact/motion module 130 and display controller 156detect contact on a touchpad.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particularcontact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includesdetecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (liftoff) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) asthe finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As anotherexample, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surfaceincludes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or morefinger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting afinger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 132 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 112 or other display,including components for changing the intensity of graphics that aredisplayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object thatcan be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, webpages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys),digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code.Graphics module 132 receives, from applications etc., one or more codesspecifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinatedata and other graphic property data, and then generates screen imagedata to output to display controller 156.

Text input module 134, which may be a component of graphics module 132,provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g.,contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, browser 147, and any other applicationthat needs text input).

GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera 143 as picture/video metadata,and to applications that provide location-based services such as weatherwidgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 136 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact        list);    -   telephone module 138;    -   video conferencing module 139;    -   e-mail client module 140;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 141;    -   workout support module 142;    -   camera module 143 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 144;    -   browser module 147;    -   calendar module 148;    -   widget modules 149, which may include one or more of: weather        widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,        alarm clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and other        widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets        149-6;    -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;    -   search module 151;    -   video and music player module 152, which may be made up of a        video player    -   module and a music player module;    -   notes module 153;    -   map module 154; and/or    -   online video module 155.

Examples of other applications 136 that may be stored in memory 102include other word processing applications, other image editingapplications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, contactsmodule 137 may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g.,stored in application internal state 192 of contacts module 137 inmemory 102 or memory 370), including: adding name(s) to the addressbook; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephonenumber(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other informationwith a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sortingnames; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiateand/or facilitate communications by telephone 138, video conference 139,e-mail 140, or IM 141; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, telephone module138 may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to atelephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book137, modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respectivetelephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up whenthe conversation is completed. As noted above, the wirelesscommunication may use any of a variety of communications standards,protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, contact list 137, and telephone module 138,videoconferencing module 139 includes executable instructions toinitiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user andone or more other participants in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140 includes executable instructions tocreate, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to userinstructions. In conjunction with image management module 144, e-mailclient module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mails withstill or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the instant messaging module 141 includes executableinstructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to aninstant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit arespective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service(SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-basedinstant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-basedinstant messages), to receive instant messages and to view receivedinstant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or receivedinstant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video filesand/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an EnhancedMessaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers toboth telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) andInternet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, orIMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and music player module 146,workout support module 142 includes executable instructions to createworkouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals);communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workoutsensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select andplay music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, opticalsensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130,graphics module 132, and image management module 144, camera module 143includes executable instructions to capture still images or video(including a video stream) and store them into memory 102, modifycharacteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image orvideo from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and cameramodule 143, image management module 144 includes executable instructionsto arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete,present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/orvideo images.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, browser module 147 includes executable instructions tobrowse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, includingsearching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portionsthereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, calendarmodule 148 includes executable instructions to create, display, modify,and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendarentries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, widget modules 149 aremini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g.,weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 1493, alarmclock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or created by the user(e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (CascadingStyle Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file(e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, the widget creator module 150 may beused by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portionof a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134,search module 151 includes executable instructions to search for text,music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 102 that matchone or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified searchterms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, video and music playermodule 152 includes executable instructions that allow the user todownload and play back recorded music and other sound files stored inone or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executableinstructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., ontouch screen 112 or on an external, connected display via external port124). In some embodiments, device 100 may include the functionality ofan MP3 player.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, notes module153 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to dolists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, map module 154 maybe used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associatedwith maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points ofinterest at or near a particular location; and other location-baseddata) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140,and browser module 147, online video module 155 includes instructionsthat allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streamingand/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on anexternal, connected display via external port 124), send an e-mail witha link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videosin one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instantmessaging module 141, rather than e-mail client module 140, is used tosend a link to a particular online video.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 102 maystore a subset of the modules and data structures identified above.Furthermore, memory 102 may store additional modules and data structuresnot described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/ora touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device100, the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons,dials, and the like) on device 100 may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between userinterfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user,navigates device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that may be displayed on device 100. In such embodiments, thetouchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some otherembodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or otherphysical input control device instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 having a touchscreen 112 in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen maydisplay one or more graphics within user interface (UI) 200. In thisembodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one ormore of the graphics by making a gesture on the graphics, for example,with one or more fingers 202 (not drawn to scale in the figure) or oneor more styluses 203 (not drawn to scale in the figure).

Device 100 may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home”or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204 may be usedto navigate to any application 136 in a set of applications that may beexecuted on device 100. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menubutton is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen112.

In one embodiment, device 100 includes touch screen 112, menu button204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and locking thedevice, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card slot 210, head set jack 212, and docking/charging externalport 124. Push button 206 may be used to turn the power on/off on thedevice by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressedstate for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressingthe button and releasing the button before the predefined time intervalhas elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process.In an alternative embodiment, device 100 also may accept verbal inputfor activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone 113.

It should be noted that, although many of the examples herein are givenwith reference to optical sensor/camera 164 (on the front of a device),a rear-facing camera or optical sensor that is pointed opposite from thedisplay may be used instead of or in addition to an opticalsensor/camera 164 on the front of a device.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate embodiments of an example actuator assembly inwhich embodiments of temperature compensation as described herein may beapplied. As one of skill in the art will readily ascertain in light ofhaving read the included disclosure, a wide variety of configurations ofposition sensors and position sensor magnets fulfill differing designgoals in different embodiments without departing from the scope andintent of the present disclosure. As one of skill in the art willreadily ascertain in light of having read the included disclosure, awide variety of configurations of actuator fulfill differing designgoals in different embodiments without departing from the scope andintent of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodimentsshown herein reflect voice coil motor actuators, one of skill in the artwill readily understand that different actuators, including no-magneticmotorized actuators such as rotary motors or piezo-electric actuators,can be used with embodiments without departing from the scope and intentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments. An optics assembly or other lensstructure 3010 a is held in an optics holder or autofocus coil 3004 a,which also carries second capacitor plates 3012 a, of a position sensorof an actuator module 3000 a. A magnet holder 3006 a holds positioncontrol magnets 3008 a and first capacitor plates 3002 a. A firstelectrically conductive capacitor plate 3002 a is mounted to a yoke(magnet holder 3006 a). The autofocus yoke (e.g., magnets or holder(s)3006 a) supports a lens carriage (optics assembly or other lensstructure 3010 a) by means of springs and suspension wires (shown inFIGS. 4A-5). The yoke is attached to a chassis (e.g. a base shown inFIGS. 4A-5) using one or more suspension wires (shown in FIGS. 4A-5).The first electrically conductive capacitor plates 3002 a areelectrically connected through the one or more suspension wires (shownin FIGS. 4A-5) in parallel with an electrically conductive autofocuscoil 3004 a of an autofocus actuator module 3000 a for moving a lenscarriage (optics assembly or other lens structure 3010 a), to whichsecond electrically isolated capacitor plates 3012 a are mounted. Acapacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plates3002 a and the second isolated capacitor plates 3012 a mounted toautofocus coil 3004 a varies as function of the position of theautofocus coil 3004 a relative to the first electrically conductivecapacitor plates 3002 a.

FIG. 3B depicts a top view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments. An optics assembly or other lensstructure 3010 b is held in an optics holder or autofocus coil 3004 b,which serves as part of a position sensor of an actuator module 3000 b.A magnet holder 3006 b holds position control magnets 3008 b and firstcapacitor plates 3002 b. A first electrically conductive capacitor plate3002 b is mounted to a yoke (magnet holder 3006 b). The autofocus yoke(e.g., magnets or holder(s) 3006 b) supports a lens carriage (opticsassembly or other lens structure 3010 b) by means of springs andsuspension wires (shown in FIGS. 4A-5). The yoke is attached to achassis (e.g. a base shown in FIGS. 4A-5) using one or more suspensionwires (shown in FIGS. 4A-5). The first electrically conductive capacitorplates 3002 b are electrically connected through the one or moresuspension wires (shown in FIGS. 4A-5) in parallel with an electricallyconductive autofocus coil 3004 b of an autofocus actuator module 3000 bfor moving a lens carriage (optics assembly or other lens structure 3010b. A capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitorplates 3002 b and autofocus coil 3004 b varies as function of theposition of the autofocus coil 3004 b relative to the first electricallyconductive capacitor plates 3002 b.

FIG. 3C illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments. An optics assembly or other lensstructure 3010 c is held in an optics holder or autofocus coil 3004 c,which serves as part of a position sensor of an actuator module 3000 c.A magnet holder 3006 c holds position control magnets 3008 c and firstcapacitor plate 3002 c. A first electrically conductive capacitor plate3002 c is mounted to a yoke (magnet holder 3006 c). The autofocus yoke(e.g., magnets or holder(s) 3006 c) supports a lens carriage (opticsassembly or other lens structure 3010 c) by means of springs andsuspension wires (shown in FIGS. 4A-5). The yoke is attached to achassis (e.g. a base shown in FIGS. 4A-5) using one or more suspensionwires (shown in FIGS. 4A-5). The first electrically conductive capacitorplate 3002 c is electrically connected through the one or moresuspension wires (shown in FIGS. 4A-5) in parallel with an electricallyconductive autofocus coil 3004 c of an autofocus actuator module 3000 cfor moving a lens carriage (optics assembly or other lens structure 3010c. A capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitorplate 3002 c and autofocus coil 3004 c varies as function of theposition of the autofocus coil 3004 c relative to the first electricallyconductive capacitor plate 3002 c.

FIG. 4A depicts a side view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-5 depict side views of example embodiments of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments. In particular, with reference toFIG. 4A, embodiments of capacitive sensing for autofocus positiondetection may be applied within an actuator package or assembly 4000interacting with an image sensor 4050 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4A-5to stabilize and increase control performance of an optics assembly 4002suspended on wires 4020 within an actuator package 3000 a-c as shown inFIG. 3A-C. Details of example embodiments, implementations, and methodsof operations of optical image stabilization actuators and associatedsensors such as the example actuator package 3000 shown in these FIGsare discussed below with respect to FIGS. 6A-10C.

In some embodiments, each position control magnet 4006 is poled so as togenerate a magnetic field, the useful component of which for theautofocus function is orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera/lens,and orthogonal to the plane of each magnet 4006 proximate to theautofocus coil 4004, and where the field for all four magnets 4006 areall either directed towards the autofocus coil 4004, or away from it, sothat the Lorentz forces from all four magnets 4004 act in the samedirection along the optical axis 4080.

As shown in FIG. 4A, an actuator package 4000 may include a baseassembly or substrate 4008, an optics assembly 4002, and a cover 4012.Base assembly 4008 may include one or more of, but is not limited to, abase 4008, supporting one or more position sensors (e.g., capacitorplates) 4010 a-b, and suspension wires 4020, which enable capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection by detecting movements ofautofocus coil 4004. In some embodiments, both of capacitor plates 4010a-b (collectively referred to as capacitor plate 4010) may be used.Other embodiments omit one of capacitor plates 4010 a-b and only asingle first capacitor plate 4010 a is present. In some embodiments,capacitor plates additional to both of capacitor plates 4010 a-b(referred to as capacitor plate 4010) may be used. One of ordinary skillin the art will readily understand in light of having read the presentdisclosure that variations in the number of capacitor plates 4010 a-bmay be made in various embodiments without departing from the scope andintent of the present disclosure.

In at least some embodiments, there are four suspension wires 4020. Anoptics assembly 4002 may be suspended on the base assembly 4008 bysuspension of the upper springs 4040 of optics assembly 4000 on thesuspension wires 4020. Actuator module 4000 may include one or more of,but is not limited to, optics 4002, optics holder (autofocus coil) 4004,magnet(s) 4006, upper spring(s) 4040, and lower spring(s) 4042. Theupper and lower spring(s) may be collectively referred to herein asoptics springs. In optics assembly 4000, an optics component 4002 (e.g.,a lens or lens assembly) may be screwed, mounted or otherwise held in orby an optics holder (autofocus coil) 4004. In at least some embodiments,the optics 4002/optics holder (autofocus coil) 4004 assembly may besuspended from or attached to the position control magnets 4006 by upperspring(s) 4040, and lower spring(s) 4042, and the position controlmagnets 4006 may be rigidly mounted to base 4008. Note that upperspring(s) 4040 and lower spring(s) 4042 are flexible to allow the opticsassembly 4000 a range of motion along the Z (optical) axis for opticalfocusing, wires 4020 are flexible to allow a range of motion on the XYplane orthogonal to the optical axis for optical image stabilization.

Note that, in some embodiments, an optics assembly 4000 or an actuatoractuator module may not include position control magnets 4006, but mayinclude a yoke or other structure 4006 that may be used to help supportthe optics assembly on suspension wires 4020 via upper sprigs 4030.However in some embodiments, optics assembly 4000 may not includeelements 4006. In general, other embodiments of an optics assembly 4000may include fewer or more components than the example optics assembly4000 shown in FIG. 4. Also note that, while embodiments show the opticsassembly 4000 suspended on wires 4020, other mechanisms may be used tosuspend an optics assembly 4000 in other embodiments.

The autofocus yoke (e.g., magnets or holder(s) 4006) acts as the supportchassis structure for the autofocus mechanism of actuator 4000. The lenscarrier (optics holder 4004) is suspended on the autofocus yoke by anupper autofocus (AF) spring 4040 and a lower optics spring 4042. In thisway when an electric current is applied to the autofocus coil, Lorentzforces are developed due to the presence of the four magnets, and aforce substantially parallel to the optical axis is generated to movethe lens carrier, and hence lens, along the optical axis, relative tothe support structure of the autofocus mechanism of the actuator, so asto focus the lens. In addition to suspending the lens carrier andsubstantially eliminating parasitic motions, the upper spring 4040 andlower spring 4042 also resist the Lorentz forces, and hence convert theforces to a displacement of the lens. This basic architecture shown inFIGS. 3-4 and is typical of some embodiments, in which optical imagestabilization function includes moving the entire autofocus mechanism ofthe actuator (supported by the autofocus yoke) in linear directionsorthogonal to the optical axis, in response to user handshake, asdetected by some means, such a two or three axis gyroscope, which sensesangular velocity. The handshake of interest is the changing angular tiltof the camera in ‘pitch and yaw directions’, which can be compensated bysaid linear movements of the lens relative to the image sensor.

At least some embodiments may achieve this two independentdegree-of-freedom motion by using two pairs of optical imagestabilization coils, each pair acting together to deliver controlledmotion in one linear axis orthogonal to the optical axis, and each pairdelivering controlled motion in a direction substantially orthogonal tothe other pair. In at least some embodiments, these optical imagestabilization coils may be fixed to the camera actuator supportstructure, and when current is appropriately applied, optical imagestabilization coils may generate Lorentz forces on the entire autofocusmechanism of the actuator, moving it as desired. The required magneticfields for the Lorentz forces are produced by the same four magnets thatenable to the Lorentz forces for the autofocus function. However, sincethe directions of motion of the optical image stabilization movementsare orthogonal to the autofocus movements, it is the fringing field ofthe four magnets that are employed, which have components of magneticfield in directions parallel to the optical axis.

Returning to FIGS. 3-4, in at least some embodiments, the suspension ofthe autofocus mechanism on the actuator 4000 support structure may beachieved by the use of four corner wires 4020, for example wires with acircular cross-section. Each wire 4020 acts as a flexure beams capableof bending with relatively low stiffness, thus allowing motion in bothoptical image stabilization degrees-of-freedom. However, wire 4020 is insome embodiments relatively stiff in directions parallel to the opticalaxis, as this would require the wire to stretch or buckle, thussubstantially preventing parasitic motions in these directions. Inaddition, the presence of four such wires, appropriately separatedallows them to be stiff in the parasitic tilt directions of pitch andyaw, thus substantially preventing relative dynamic tilt between thelens and image sensor. This may be seen by appreciating that each wire4020 is stiff in directions that require it to change in length, andhence the fixed points at the ends of each wire (eight points in total)will substantially form the vertices of a parallelepiped for alloperational positions of the optical image stabilization mechanism.

In some embodiments, a package of processors and memory 4090 or othercomputer-readable medium as described herein may alternatively, in someembodiments, be omitted from actuator module 4000 and housed elsewherein a device in which actuator package 4000 is installed.

In some embodiments, actuator package 4000 is installed in a camera of amobile computing device. Either of capacitor plates 4010 is a firstelectrically conductive capacitor plate mounted to a yoke. The autofocusyoke (e.g., magnets or holder(s) 4006) supports a lens carriage (e.g.,optics 4002). The yoke is attached to a chassis (e.g. base 4008) usingone or more suspension wires 4020. The first electrically conductivecapacitor plate 4010 is electrically connected through the one or moresuspension wires 4020 in parallel with an electrically conductiveautofocus coil 4004 of an autofocus actuator mechanism 4000 for moving alens carriage 4002. A capacitance between the first electricallyconductive capacitor plate 4010 and the autofocus coil 4004 varies asfunction of the position of the autofocus coil 4004 relative to thefirst electrically conductive capacitor plate 4010.

In some embodiments, driver circuit 4090 includes a voltage sourcecapable of delivering an impulse alternating electrical signal to theautofocus coil 4004.

In some embodiments, driver circuit 4090 includes a measurement circuitfor measuring a resonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitancecircuit comprising the autofocus coil 4004 and the first capacitor plate4010 in response to the impulse.

In some embodiments, driver circuit 4090 includes position measurementlogic for measuring the position of the lens carriage relative to thechassis by applying an alternating electrical signal to the autofocuscoil, and measuring a resonant frequency of a resonantinductance-capacitance circuit comprising the autofocus coil and thefirst capacitor plate. In some embodiments, first electricallyconductive capacitor plate 4010 a and a second electrically conductivecapacitor plate 4010 b are at even heights, such that first electricallyconductive capacitor plate 4010 a is mounted at position a along anoptical axis of the camera corresponding to from a position along anoptical axis of the camera of the second electrically conductivecapacitor plate 4010 b, and the second electrically conductive capacitorplate 4010 b is electrically connected in parallel with an autofocuscoil of an actuator for moving the lens carriage using the one or moresuspension wires.

FIG. 4B depicts a side view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments. Embodiments of capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection may be applied within anactuator package or assembly 4111 interacting with an image sensor 4151as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4A-5 to stabilize and increase controlperformance of an optics assembly 4112 suspended on wires 4121 within anactuator package 3000 a-c as shown in FIG. 3A-C. Details of exampleembodiments, implementations, and methods of operations of optical imagestabilization actuators and associated sensors such as the exampleactuator package 3000 shown in these FIGs are discussed below withrespect to FIGS. 6A-11.

In some embodiments, each position control magnet 4116 is poled so as togenerate a magnetic field, the useful component of which for theautofocus function is orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera/lens,and orthogonal to the plane of each magnet 4116 proximate to theautofocus coil 4114, and where the field for all four magnets 4116 areall either directed towards the autofocus coil 4114, or away from it, sothat the Lorentz forces from all four magnets 4114 act in the samedirection along the optical axis 4181.

As shown in FIG. 4A, an actuator package 4111 may include a baseassembly or substrate 4118, an optics assembly 4112, and a cover 4115.Base assembly 4118 may include one or more of, but is not limited to, abase 4118, supporting one or more position sensors (e.g., capacitorplates) 4113 a-b, and suspension wires 4121, which enable capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection by detecting movements ofautofocus coil 4114.

In at least some embodiments, there are four suspension wires 4121. Anoptics assembly 4112 may be suspended on the base assembly 4118 bysuspension of the upper springs 4141 of optics assembly 4111 on thesuspension wires 4121. Actuator module 4111 may include one or more of,but is not limited to, optics 4112, optics holder (autofocus coil) 4114,magnet(s) 4116, upper spring(s) 4141, and lower spring(s) 4142. Theupper and lower spring(s) may be collectively referred to herein asoptics springs. In optics assembly 4111, an optics component 4112 (e.g.,a lens or lens assembly) may be screwed, mounted or otherwise held in orby an optics holder (autofocus coil) 4114. In at least some embodiments,the optics 4112/optics holder (autofocus coil) 4114 assembly may besuspended from or attached to the position control magnets 4116 by upperspring(s) 4141, and lower spring(s) 4142, and the position controlmagnets 4116 may be rigidly mounted to base 4118. Note that upperspring(s) 4141 and lower spring(s) 4142 are flexible to allow the opticsassembly 4111 a range of motion along the Z (optical) axis for opticalfocusing, wires 4121 are flexible to allow a range of motion on the XYplane orthogonal to the optical axis for optical image stabilization.

Note that, in some embodiments, an optics assembly 4111 or an actuatormodule may not include position control magnets 4116, but may include ayoke or other structure 4116 that may be used to help support the opticsassembly on suspension wires 4121 via upper sprigs 4131. However in someembodiments, optics assembly 4111 may not include elements 4116. Ingeneral, other embodiments of an optics assembly 4111 may include feweror more components than the example optics assembly 4111 shown in FIG.4. Also note that, while embodiments show the optics assembly 4111suspended on wires 4121, other mechanisms may be used to suspend anoptics assembly 4111 in other embodiments.

The autofocus yoke (e.g., magnets or holder(s) 4116) acts as the supportchassis structure for the autofocus mechanism of actuator 4111. The lenscarrier (optics holder 4114) is suspended on the autofocus yoke by anupper autofocus (AF) spring 4141 and a lower optics spring 4142. In thisway when an electric current is applied to the autofocus coil, Lorentzforces are developed due to the presence of the four magnets, and aforce substantially parallel to the optical axis is generated to movethe lens carrier, and hence lens, along the optical axis, relative tothe support structure of the autofocus mechanism of the actuator, so asto focus the lens. In addition to suspending the lens carrier andsubstantially eliminating parasitic motions, the upper spring 4141 andlower spring 4142 also resist the Lorentz forces, and hence convert theforces to a displacement of the lens. This basic architecture shown inFIGS. 3-4 and is typical of some embodiments, in which optical imagestabilization function includes moving the entire autofocus mechanism ofthe actuator (supported by the autofocus yoke) in linear directionsorthogonal to the optical axis, in response to user handshake, asdetected by some means, such a two or three axis gyroscope, which sensesangular velocity. The handshake of interest is the changing angular tiltof the camera in ‘pitch and yaw directions’, which can be compensated bysaid linear movements of the lens relative to the image sensor.

At least some embodiments may achieve this two independentdegree-of-freedom motion by using two pairs of optical imagestabilization coils, each pair acting together to deliver controlledmotion in one linear axis orthogonal to the optical axis, and each pairdelivering controlled motion in a direction substantially orthogonal tothe other pair. In at least some embodiments, these optical imagestabilization coils may be fixed to the camera actuator supportstructure, and when current is appropriately applied, optical imagestabilization coils may generate Lorentz forces on the entire autofocusmechanism of the actuator, moving it as desired. The required magneticfields for the Lorentz forces are produced by the same four magnets thatenable to the Lorentz forces for the autofocus function. However, sincethe directions of motion of the optical image stabilization movementsare orthogonal to the autofocus movements, it is the fringing field ofthe four magnets that are employed, which have components of magneticfield in directions parallel to the optical axis.

Returning to FIGS. 3-4, in at least some embodiments, the suspension ofthe autofocus mechanism on the actuator 4111 support structure may beachieved by the use of four corner wires 4121, for example wires with acircular cross-section. Each wire 4121 acts as a flexure beams capableof bending with relatively low stiffness, thus allowing motion in bothoptical image stabilization degrees-of-freedom. However, wire 4121 is insome embodiments relatively stiff in directions parallel to the opticalaxis, as this would require the wire to stretch or buckle, thussubstantially preventing parasitic motions in these directions. Inaddition, the presence of four such wires, appropriately separatedallows them to be stiff in the parasitic tilt directions of pitch andyaw, thus substantially preventing relative dynamic tilt between thelens and image sensor. This may be seen by appreciating that each wire4121 is stiff in directions that require it to change in length, andhence the fixed points at the ends of each wire (eight points in total)will substantially form the vertices of a parallelepiped for alloperational positions of the optical image stabilization mechanism.

In some embodiments, a package of processors and memory 4191 or othercomputer-readable medium as described herein may alternatively, in someembodiments, be omitted from actuator module 4111 and housed elsewherein a device in which actuator package 4111 is installed.

In some embodiments, actuator package 4111 is installed in a camera of amobile computing device. First and second capacitor plates 4113 areelectrically conductive capacitor plate mounted to a yoke. The autofocusyoke (e.g., magnets or holder(s) 4116) supports a lens carriage (e.g.,optics 4112). The yoke is attached to a chassis (e.g. base 4118) usingone or more suspension wires 4121. Capacitor plates 4113 areelectrically connected through the one or more suspension wires 4121 inparallel with an electrically conductive autofocus coil 4114 of anautofocus actuator mechanism 4111 for moving a lens carriage 4112. Acapacitance between the electrically conductive capacitor plates 4113and the autofocus coil 4114 varies as function of the position of theautofocus coil 4114 relative to the electrically conductive capacitorplates 4113.

In some embodiments, driver circuit 4191 includes a voltage sourcecapable of delivering an impulse alternating electrical signal to theautofocus coil 4114.

In some embodiments, driver circuit 4191 includes a measurement circuitfor measuring a resonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitancecircuit comprising the autofocus coil 4114 and the capacitor plates 4113in response to the impulse.

In some embodiments, driver circuit 4191 includes position measurementlogic for measuring the position of the lens carriage relative to thechassis by applying an alternating electrical signal to the autofocuscoil, and measuring a resonant frequency of a resonantinductance-capacitance circuit comprising the autofocus coil and thecapacitor plates.

In some embodiments, a second electrically conductive capacitor plate4113 b mounted to the yoke 4114. In some embodiments, the secondelectrically conductive capacitor plate 4113 b is mounted at a positionalong an optical axis 4181 of the camera different from a position alongan optical axis 4181 of the camera from the first electricallyconductive capacitor plate 4113 a, and the second electricallyconductive capacitor plate 4113 b is electrically connected in parallelwith an autofocus coil of an actuator for moving the lens carriage usingthe one or more suspension wires.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments. Embodiments of capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection may be applied within anactuator package or assembly 5000 interacting with an image sensor 5050as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4A-5 to stabilize and increase controlperformance of an optics assembly 5002 suspended on wires 5020 within anactuator package 3000 a-c as shown in FIG. 3A-C. Details of exampleembodiments, implementations, and methods of operations of optical imagestabilization actuators and associated sensors such as the exampleactuator package 3000 shown in these FIGs are discussed below withrespect to FIGS. 6A-10C.

In some embodiments, each position control magnet 5006 is poled so as togenerate a magnetic field, the useful component of which for theautofocus function is orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera/lens,and orthogonal to the plane of each magnet 5006 proximate to theautofocus coil 5005, and where the field for all four magnets 5006 areall either directed towards the autofocus coil 5005, or away from it, sothat the Lorentz forces from all four magnets 5005 act in the samedirection along the optical axis 5080.

As shown in FIG. 5A, an actuator package 5000 may include a baseassembly or substrate 5008, an optics assembly 5002, and a cover 5012.Base assembly 5008 may include one or more of, but is not limited to, abase 5008, supporting one or more position sensors (e.g., capacitorplates) 5010 a-b, and suspension wires 5020, which enable capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection by detecting movements ofautofocus coil 5005. In some embodiments, both of capacitor plates 5010a-b (collectively referred to as capacitor plate 5010) may be used.Other embodiments omit one of capacitor plates 5010 a-b and only asingle first capacitor plate 5010 a is present. In some embodiments,capacitor plates additional to both of capacitor plates 5010 a-b(referred to as capacitor plate 5010) may be used. One of ordinary skillin the art will readily understand in light of having read the presentdisclosure that variations in the number of capacitor plates 5010 a-bmay be made in various embodiments without departing from the scope andintent of the present disclosure.

In at least some embodiments, there are four suspension wires 5020. Anoptics assembly 5002 may be suspended on the base assembly 5008 bysuspension of the upper springs 5050 of optics assembly 5000 on thesuspension wires 5020. Actuator module 5000 may include one or more of,but is not limited to, optics 5002, optics holder (autofocus coil) 5005,magnet(s) 5006, upper spring(s) 5050, and lower spring(s) 5052. Theupper and lower spring(s) may be collectively referred to herein asoptics springs. In optics assembly 5000, an optics component 5002 (e.g.,a lens or lens assembly) may be screwed, mounted or otherwise held in orby an optics holder (autofocus coil) 5005. In at least some embodiments,the optics 5002/optics holder (autofocus coil) 5005 assembly may besuspended from or attached to the position control magnets 5006 by upperspring(s) 5050, and lower spring(s) 5052, and the position controlmagnets 5006 may be rigidly mounted to base 5008. Note that upperspring(s) 5050 and lower spring(s) 5052 are flexible to allow the opticsassembly 5000 a range of motion along the Z (optical) axis for opticalfocusing, wires 5020 are flexible to allow a range of motion on the XYplane orthogonal to the optical axis for optical image stabilization.

Note that, in some embodiments, an optics assembly 5000 or an actuatoractuator module may not include position control magnets 5006, but mayinclude a yoke or other structure 5006 that may be used to help supportthe optics assembly on suspension wires 5020 via upper sprigs 5030.However in some embodiments, optics assembly 5000 may not includeelements 5006. In general, other embodiments of an optics assembly 5000may include fewer or more components than the example optics assembly5000 shown in FIG. 5. Also note that, while embodiments show the opticsassembly 5000 suspended on wires 5020, other mechanisms may be used tosuspend an optics assembly 5000 in other embodiments.

The autofocus yoke (e.g., magnets or holder(s) 5006) acts as the supportchassis structure for the autofocus mechanism of actuator 5000. The lenscarrier (optics holder 5005) is suspended on the autofocus yoke by anupper autofocus (AF) spring 5050 and a lower optics spring 5052. In thisway when an electric current is applied to the autofocus coil, Lorentzforces are developed due to the presence of the four magnets, and aforce substantially parallel to the optical axis is generated to movethe lens carrier, and hence lens, along the optical axis, relative tothe support structure of the autofocus mechanism of the actuator, so asto focus the lens. In addition to suspending the lens carrier andsubstantially eliminating parasitic motions, the upper spring 5050 andlower spring 5052 also resist the Lorentz forces, and hence convert theforces to a displacement of the lens. This basic architecture shown inFIGS. 3-5 and is typical of some embodiments, in which optical imagestabilization function includes moving the entire autofocus mechanism ofthe actuator (supported by the autofocus yoke) in linear directionsorthogonal to the optical axis, in response to user handshake, asdetected by some means, such a two or three axis gyroscope, which sensesangular velocity. The handshake of interest is the changing angular tiltof the camera in ‘pitch and yaw directions’, which can be compensated bysaid linear movements of the lens relative to the image sensor.

At least some embodiments may achieve this two independentdegree-of-freedom motion by using two pairs of optical imagestabilization coils, each pair acting together to deliver controlledmotion in one linear axis orthogonal to the optical axis, and each pairdelivering controlled motion in a direction substantially orthogonal tothe other pair. In at least some embodiments, these optical imagestabilization coils may be fixed to the camera actuator supportstructure, and when current is appropriately applied, optical imagestabilization coils may generate Lorentz forces on the entire autofocusmechanism of the actuator, moving it as desired. The required magneticfields for the Lorentz forces are produced by the same four magnets thatenable to the Lorentz forces for the autofocus function. However, sincethe directions of motion of the optical image stabilization movementsare orthogonal to the autofocus movements, it is the fringing field ofthe four magnets that are employed, which have components of magneticfield in directions parallel to the optical axis.

Returning to FIGS. 3-5, in at least some embodiments, the suspension ofthe autofocus mechanism on the actuator 5000 support structure may beachieved by the use of four corner wires 5020, for example wires with acircular cross-section. Each wire 5020 acts as a flexure beams capableof bending with relatively low stiffness, thus allowing motion in bothoptical image stabilization degrees-of-freedom. However, wire 5020 is insome embodiments relatively stiff in directions parallel to the opticalaxis, as this would require the wire to stretch or buckle, thussubstantially preventing parasitic motions in these directions. Inaddition, the presence of four such wires, appropriately separatedallows them to be stiff in the parasitic tilt directions of pitch andyaw, thus substantially preventing relative dynamic tilt between thelens and image sensor. This may be seen by appreciating that each wire5020 is stiff in directions that require it to change in length, andhence the fixed points at the ends of each wire (eight points in total)will substantially form the vertices of a parallelepiped for alloperational positions of the optical image stabilization mechanism.

In some embodiments, a package of processors and memory 5090 or othercomputer-readable medium as described herein may alternatively, in someembodiments, be omitted from actuator module 5000 and housed elsewherein a device in which actuator package 5000 is installed.

In some embodiments, actuator package 5000 is installed in a camera of amobile computing device. A first electrically conductive capacitor plate5010 mounted to a yoke. The autofocus yoke (e.g., magnets or holder(s)5006) supports a lens carriage (e.g., optics 5002). The yoke is attachedto a chassis (e.g. base 5008) using one or more suspension wires 5020.The first electrically conductive capacitor plate 5010 is electricallyconnected through the one or more suspension wires 5020 in parallel withan electrically conductive autofocus coil 5005 of an autofocus actuatormechanism 5000 for moving a lens carriage 5002, to which a secondcapacitor plate 5010 b is mounted. A capacitance between the firstelectrically conductive capacitor plate 5010 a and the second capacitorplate 5010 b mounted to autofocus coil 5005 varies as function of theposition of the autofocus coil 5005 relative to the first electricallyconductive capacitor plate 5010.

In some embodiments, driver circuit 5090 includes a measurement circuitfor measuring a resonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitancecircuit comprising the autofocus coil 5005 and the first capacitor plate5010 a in response to the impulse.

In some embodiments, driver circuit 5090 includes position measurementlogic for measuring the position of the lens carriage relative to thechassis by applying an alternating electrical signal to the autofocuscoil 5005, and measuring a resonant frequency of a resonantinductance-capacitance circuit comprising the autofocus coil 5005 andthe first capacitor plate 5010 a. In some embodiments, firstelectrically conductive capacitor plate 5010 a and a second electricallyconductive capacitor plate 5010 b are at even heights, such that firstelectrically conductive capacitor plate 5010 a is mounted at a positionalong an optical axis of the camera corresponding to from a positionalong an optical axis of the camera of the second electricallyconductive capacitor plate 5010 b.

FIG. 6A depicts a top view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide capacitivesensing for autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments. In an actuator package 600, apair of sphere chassis capacitor plates 630 is electrically connected inparallel with an autofocus coil 660 inductor by means of suspensionwires 640 and suspension springs 680. Note that in some embodiments, theconnection of sphere chassis capacitor plates 630 to autofocus coil 660is not present. That is, in some embodiments, sphere chassis capacitorplates 630 are isolated from autofocus coil 660 and no signal fromsphere chassis capacitor plates 630 is carried across autofocussuspension springs 680. A lens carriage capacitor plate 670 withoutelectrical connection is mounted to a lens carriage 620.

In some embodiments, one of skill in the art considering the foursuspension wires 680 in light of the present specification will readilyascertain that, if two wires are used for the autofocus coil 660 and twofor the capacitance plates 630, on the yoke, embodiments exist in whichthe two capacitance plates 630 on the right hand side are not connectedin the picture. Such embodiments do not depart from the scope and intentof the present specification. Embodiments exist in which the twocapacitance plates 630 on the right hand side are not connected in thepicture can be omitted altogether, or connected via an LDS track to theplates on the left. In some embodiments it is advantageous to have theright hand plates 630 to improve sensitivity and reduce sensitivity tomanufacturing tolerance, but some embodiments rely strictly on the lefthand plates without departing from the scope and intent of the presentdisclosure. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art inlight of having read the present disclosure, in some embodiments thecapacitor configuration is not a differential measure of position (whereone capacitance gets bigger, whilst the other gets smaller as the AFcoil moves and then we measure the difference between them).

FIG. 6B depicts a schematic view of an example embodiment of a circuitthat may, for example, be used to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection in small form factor cameras, according toat least some embodiments. In circuit 602, four capacitors 642 areconnected in parallel with an inductor 632 between a first terminal 612and a second terminal 622

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an example embodiment capacitive sensorhardware that may, for example, be used to provide capacitive sensingfor autofocus position detection in small form factor cameras, accordingto at least some embodiments. A flexible printed circuit 700electrically isolates two chassis capacitors 710 from a chassis. Acomplementary (second) capacitor plate 730 is electrically isolated froman autofocus coil by a flexible printed circuit 720.

In operation at infinite focus 702, complementary (second) capacitorplate 708 has minimal overlap 706 minimally with first capacitor plates704. In operation at neutral position focus 722, complementary (second)capacitor plate 728 has medium overlap 726 minimally with firstcapacitor plates 724. In operation at macro focus 732, complementary(second) capacitor plate 738 has maximum overlap 736 minimally withfirst capacitor plates 734.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments. Animpulse alternating electrical signal is delivered to an autofocus coil(block 820). A position of the autofocus coil is calculated by measuringa resonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitance circuitcomprising the autofocus coil and a first capacitor plate in response tothe impulse (block 830).

FIG. 8B is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments. Animpulse alternating electrical signal is delivered to an autofocus coil(block 822). A position of the autofocus coil is calculated by measuringa resonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitance circuitcomprising the autofocus coil and a first capacitor plate in response tothe impulse (block 832). A position of the autofocus coil is adjusted byaltering a voltage input to the autofocus coil based at least in part onthe measurement (block 842). The delivering and the adjusting arerepeated (block 852).

FIG. 9A is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments. Animpulse alternating electrical signal is delivered to an autofocus coil(block 922). A position of the autofocus coil is calculated by measuringa resonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitance circuitcomprising the autofocus coil and a first capacitor plate in response tothe impulse (block 932). The delivering and calculating are repeated tomeasure a capacitance between the first electrically conductivecapacitor plate and the autofocus coil that varies as function of theposition of the autofocus coil relative to the first electricallyconductive capacitor plate (block 942).

FIG. 9B is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments. Animpulse alternating electrical signal is delivered to an autofocus coil(block 920). A position of the autofocus coil is calculated by measuringa resonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitance circuitcomprising the autofocus coil and a first capacitor plate in response tothe impulse by measuring a capacitance between the first electricallyconductive capacitor plate and the autofocus coil that varies asfunction of the position of the autofocus coil relative to the firstelectrically conductive capacitor plate (block 930).

FIG. 10A is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments. Animpulse alternating electrical signal is delivered to an autofocus coil(block 1022). A position of the autofocus coil is calculated bymeasuring a resonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitancecircuit comprising the autofocus coil and a first capacitor plate inresponse to the impulse (block 1032). A position of the autofocus coilis adjusted by altering a voltage input to the autofocus coil based atleast in part on the measurement such that the impulse alternatingelectrical signal to the autofocus coil at a frequency different from asignal used to adjust the autofocus coil (block 1042).

FIG. 10B is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments. Animpulse alternating electrical signal is delivered to an autofocus coilthrough a parallel electrical connection between the first capacitorplate and the autofocus coil (block 1020). A position of the autofocuscoil is calculated by measuring a resonant frequency of a resonantinductance-capacitance circuit comprising the autofocus coil and a firstcapacitor plate in response to the impulse (block 1030).

FIG. 10C is a flowchart of a method to provide capacitive sensing forautofocus position detection, according to at least some embodiments. Animpulse alternating electrical signal is delivered to an autofocus coilthrough a parallel electrical connection between the first capacitorplate and the autofocus coil via one or more suspension wires of theactuator mechanism (block 1024). A position of the autofocus coil iscalculated by measuring a resonant frequency of a resonantinductance-capacitance circuit comprising the autofocus coil and a firstcapacitor plate in response to the impulse (block 1034).

Example Computer System

FIG. 11 illustrates an example computer system 1100 that may beconfigured to execute any or all of the embodiments described above. Indifferent embodiments, computer system 1100 may be any of various typesof devices, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system,desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, pad, or netbookcomputer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation,network computer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, a consumerdevice, video game console, handheld video game device, applicationserver, storage device, a television, a video recording device, aperipheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or in general anytype of computing or electronic device.

Various embodiments of a camera motion control system as describedherein, including embodiments of capacitive position sensing, asdescribed herein may be executed in one or more computer systems 1100,which may interact with various other devices. Note that any component,action, or functionality described above with respect to FIGS. 1-10 maybe implemented on one or more computers configured as computer system1100 of FIG. 11, according to various embodiments. In the illustratedembodiment, computer system 1100 includes one or more processors 1110coupled to a system memory 1120 via an input/output (I/O) interface1130. Computer system 1100 further includes a network interface 1140coupled to I/O interface 1130, and one or more input/output devices1150, such as cursor control device 1160, keyboard 1170, and display(s)1180. In some cases, it is contemplated that embodiments may beimplemented using a single instance of computer system 1100, while inother embodiments multiple such systems, or multiple nodes making upcomputer system 1100, may be configured to host different portions orinstances of embodiments. For example, in one embodiment some elementsmay be implemented via one or more nodes of computer system 1100 thatare distinct from those nodes implementing other elements.

In various embodiments, computer system 1100 may be a uniprocessorsystem including one processor 1110, or a multiprocessor systemincluding several processors 1110 (e.g., two, four, eight, or anothersuitable number). Processors 1110 may be any suitable processor capableof executing instructions. For example, in various embodimentsprocessors 1110 may be general-purpose or embedded processorsimplementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs),such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitableISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors 1110 may commonly,but not necessarily, implement the same ISA.

System memory 1120 may be configured to store camera control programinstructions 1122 and/or camera control data accessible by processor1110. In various embodiments, system memory 1120 may be implementedusing any suitable memory technology, such as static random accessmemory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-typememory, or any other type of memory. In the illustrated embodiment,program instructions 1122 may be configured to implement a lens controlapplication 1124 incorporating any of the functionality described above.Additionally, existing camera control data 1132 of memory 1120 mayinclude any of the information or data structures described above. Insome embodiments, program instructions and/or data may be received, sentor stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or onsimilar media separate from system memory 1120 or computer system 1100.While computer system 1100 is described as implementing thefunctionality of functional blocks of previous Figures, any of thefunctionality described herein may be implemented via such a computersystem.

In one embodiment, I/O interface 1130 may be configured to coordinateI/O traffic between processor 1110, system memory 1120, and anyperipheral devices in the device, including network interface 1140 orother peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices 1150. In someembodiments, I/O interface 1130 may perform any necessary protocol,timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from onecomponent (e.g., system memory 1120) into a format suitable for use byanother component (e.g., processor 1110). In some embodiments, I/Ointerface 1130 may include support for devices attached through varioustypes of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB)standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/Ointerface 1130 may be split into two or more separate components, suchas a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in someembodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface 1130, suchas an interface to system memory 1120, may be incorporated directly intoprocessor 1110.

Network interface 1140 may be configured to allow data to be exchangedbetween computer system 1100 and other devices attached to a network1185 (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computersystem 1100. Network 1185 may in various embodiments include one or morenetworks including but not limited to Local Area Networks (LANs) (e.g.,an Ethernet or corporate network), Wide Area Networks (WANs) (e.g., theInternet), wireless data networks, some other electronic data network,or some combination thereof. In various embodiments, network interface1140 may support communication via wired or wireless general datanetworks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example;via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networksor digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks suchas Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/orprotocol.

Input/output devices 1150 may, in some embodiments, include one or moredisplay terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices,voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable forentering or accessing data by one or more computer systems 1100.Multiple input/output devices 1150 may be present in computer system1100 or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system 1100. Insome embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate fromcomputer system 1100 and may interact with one or more nodes of computersystem 1100 through a wired or wireless connection, such as over networkinterface 1140.

As shown in FIG. 11, memory 1120 may include program instructions 1122,which may be processor-executable to implement any element or actiondescribed above. In one embodiment, the program instructions mayimplement the methods described above. In other embodiments, differentelements and data may be included. Note that data may include any dataor information described above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system 1100 ismerely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments. In particular, the computer system and devices may includeany combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicatedfunctions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances,PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, etc. Computer system 1100 may also beconnected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead mayoperate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality providedby the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined infewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, insome embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustratedcomponents may not be provided and/or other additional functionality maybe available.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various itemsare illustrated as being stored in memory or on storage while beingused, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memoryand other storage devices for purposes of memory management and dataintegrity. Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of thesoftware components may execute in memory on another device andcommunicate with the illustrated computer system via inter-computercommunication. Some or all of the system components or data structuresmay also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on acomputer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by anappropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. Insome embodiments, instructions stored on a computer-accessible mediumseparate from computer system 1100 may be transmitted to computer system1100 via transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as a network and/or a wireless link. Various embodiments mayfurther include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or dataimplemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon acomputer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, a computer-accessiblemedium may include a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium ormemory medium such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk orDVD/CD-ROM, volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR,RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc. In some embodiments, a computer-accessiblemedium may include transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as network and/or a wireless link.

The methods described herein may be implemented in software, hardware,or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In addition, theorder of the blocks of the methods may be changed, and various elementsmay be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Variousmodifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to a personskilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The variousembodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and notlimiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvementsare possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided forcomponents described herein as a single instance. Boundaries betweenvarious components, operations and data stores are somewhat arbitrary,and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specificillustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality areenvisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally,structures and functionality presented as discrete components in theexample configurations may be implemented as a combined structure orcomponent. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements may fall within the scope of embodiments as defined in theclaims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for measuring a position, comprising: delivering an impulse alternating electrical signal to an autofocus coil; and calculating a position measurement of the autofocus coil by measuring one or more properties of an inductance-capacitance circuit comprising the autofocus coil and a first capacitor plate in response to the impulse.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a position of the autofocus coil by altering a voltage input to the autofocus coil, wherein the adjusting is based at least in part on the position measurement; and repeating the delivering and calculating.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, repeating the delivering and the calculating, wherein a capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the autofocus coil varies as a function of the position of the autofocus coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein: the calculating the position measurement of the autofocus coil by measuring a resonant frequency of a resonant inductance-capacitance circuit comprising the autofocus coil and a first capacitor plate in response to the impulse further comprises measuring a capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the autofocus coil that varies as a function of the position of the autofocus coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a position of the autofocus coil by altering a voltage input to the autofocus coil, wherein the adjusting is based at least in part on the position measurement, and the delivering the impulse alternating electrical signal to the autofocus coil further comprises delivering the impulse alternating electrical signal to the autofocus coil at a frequency different from a signal used to adjust the autofocus coil.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering the impulse alternating electrical signal to the autofocus coil further comprises delivering the impulse alternating electrical signal to an autofocus coil of an autofocus actuator mechanism for moving a lens carriage, through a parallel electrical connection between the first capacitor plate and the autofocus coil.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering the impulse alternating electrical signal to the autofocus coil further comprises delivering the impulse alternating electrical signal to an autofocus coil of an autofocus actuator mechanism for moving a lens carriage, through a parallel electrical connection between the first capacitor plate and the autofocus coil via one or more suspension wires of the actuator mechanism.
 8. A non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed on one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: cause an impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to an autofocus coil; and calculate a position measurement of the autofocus coil by measuring one or more properties of an inductance-capacitance circuit comprising the autofocus coil and a first capacitor plate in response to the impulse.
 9. The non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium of claim 8, wherein the program instructions when executed cause the one or more processors to: cause a position of the autofocus coil to be adjusted, based at least in part on the position measurement, by altering a voltage input to the autofocus coil; repeat causing an impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to the autofocus coil; and repeat calculating a position measurement of the autofocus coil.
 10. The non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium of claim 8, wherein the program instructions when executed cause the one or more processors to: repeat causing an impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to the autofocus coil; and repeat calculating a position measurement of the autofocus coil; wherein a capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the autofocus coil varies as a function of the position of the autofocus coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.
 11. The non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium of claim 8, wherein, to calculate the position measurement of the autofocus coil, the program instructions when executed cause the one or more processors to: measure a capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the autofocus coil that varies as a function of the position of the autofocus coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.
 12. The non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium of claim 8, wherein the program instructions when executed cause the one or more processors to: cause a position of the autofocus coil to be adjusted, based at least in part on the position measurement, by altering a voltage input to the autofocus coil; wherein, to cause the impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to the autofocus coil, the program instructions when executed cause the one or more processors to: cause the impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to the autofocus coil at a frequency different from a signal used to adjust the autofocus coil.
 13. The non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium of claim 8, wherein, to cause the impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to the autofocus coil, the program instructions when executed cause the one or more processors to: cause the impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to an autofocus coil of an autofocus actuator mechanism for moving a lens carriage, through a parallel electrical connection between the first capacitor plate and the autofocus coil via one or more suspension wires of the actuator mechanism.
 14. A control system, comprising: one or more processors to: cause an impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to an autofocus coil; and calculate a position measurement of the autofocus coil by measuring one or more properties of an inductance-capacitance circuit comprising the autofocus coil and a first capacitor plate in response to the impulse.
 15. The control system of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further to: cause a position of the autofocus coil to be adjusted, based at least in part on the position measurement, by altering a voltage input to the autofocus coil; repeat causing an impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to the autofocus coil; and repeat calculating a position measurement of the autofocus coil.
 16. The control system of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further to: repeat causing an impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to the autofocus coil; and repeat calculating a position measurement of the autofocus coil; wherein a capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the autofocus coil varies as a function of the position of the autofocus coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.
 17. The control system of claim 14, wherein, to calculate the position measurement of the autofocus coil, the one or more processors: measure a capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the autofocus coil that varies as a function of the position of the autofocus coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.
 18. The control system of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further to: cause a position of the autofocus coil to be adjusted, based at least in part on the position measurement, by altering a voltage input to the autofocus coil; wherein, to cause the impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to the autofocus coil, the one or more processors: cause the impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to the autofocus coil at a frequency different from a signal used to adjust the autofocus coil.
 19. The control system of claim 14, wherein, to cause the impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to the autofocus coil, the one or more processors: cause the impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to an autofocus coil of an autofocus actuator mechanism for moving a lens carriage, through a parallel electrical connection between the first capacitor plate and the autofocus coil.
 20. The control system of claim 14, wherein, to cause the impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to the autofocus coil, the one or more processors: cause the impulse alternating electrical signal to be delivered to an autofocus coil of an autofocus actuator mechanism for moving a lens carriage, through a parallel electrical connection between the first capacitor plate and the autofocus coil via one or more suspension wires of the actuator mechanism. 